The Bear’s Den, January 25, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

In honor of the Green Bay Packers and their 2021 playoff run:

BEARRRSSSS

Why Sean Desai’s Promotion to Defensive Coordinator is Brilliant for the Bears - The Chicago Audible - The Chicago Bears have promoted Sean Desai to become the team’s third defensive coordinator under Matt Nagy. In this quick-hit episode, the guys share their thoughts on the promotion, explain why Desai was ultimately the right guy for the job, how the defense will look different (with an inside scoop), and more!

NBC Sports Network will shut down, NBC Sports Chicago not impacted - RSN - The NBC Sports Network is shutting down. The network will stop operations by the end of 2021

Chicago Bears name Sean Desai new defensive coordinator - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Friday promoted Sean Desai from safeties coach to defensive coordinator. The 37-year-old replaces Chuck Pagano, who announced his retirement Jan. 13 after 36 years in coaching.

9 players to watch in 2021: Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet grew into an expanded role in 2020 season - ChicagoBears.com - Rookie tight end Cole Kmet saw his role expand rapidly over the course of the 2020 season.

Chalk Talk: What was Chicago Bears LB Khalil Mack’s injury? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the injuries that slowed Khalil Mack during the season, key plays other teams have copied from the Bears and the latest news on the NFL Combine.

Bears promote Sean Desai to defensive coordinator - 670 The Score - The Bears have promoted assistant coach Sean Desai to be their new defensive coordinator, filling a major void on coach Matt Nagy’s staff. Desai has been with the organization since 2013.

Ted Monachino: Chicago Bears OLB coach not expected back - Chicago Tribune - A day after promoting Sean Desai to defensive coordinator, the Chicago Bears have a new opening on coach Matt Nagy’s staff. Outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino is not expected to return.

Sean Desai: Chicago Bears hopeful new DC is NFL’s latest rising star - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears want to get back to playing defense the way they did under Vic Fangio. They promoted his apprentice Sean Desai to coordinator in that effort.

Matthew Stafford: Detroit Lions, QB agree to explore trade - Chicago Tribune - Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions have mutually agreed to explore trading him, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said. The Lions drafted Stafford No. 1 overall in 2009, and he has two years left on a five-year, $135 million contract.

Would Detroit Lions trade Matthew Stafford to the Chicago Bears? - Chicago Tribune - As division rivals, the Chicago Bears know full well how much of an upgrade Matthew Stafford would be at quarterback — and they probably figure the Detroit Lions are unlikely to consider trading him to a team in the NFC North.

Bears would target assistant Duce Staley if Eagles grant release request - Chicago Sun-Times - Eagles running backs coach and assistant head coach Duce Staley has asked to be released from his contract, a source confirmed Sunday.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Greg Olsen announces retirement from NFL after 14 seasons - NFL.com - Greg Olsen announced his retirement on Sunday. The 35-year-old had 8,683 receiving yards, 742 receptions and 60 touchdowns over the course of his 14 seasons.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Tom Brady, Buccaneers stave off Packers for NFC Championship Game win, trip to Super Bowl LV - NFL.com - Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to Super Bowl LV at their own Raymond James Stadium, as they staved off Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.

Aaron Rodgers: Field goal wasn't my decision, but I understand the thinking - ProFootballTalk - Down by eight with 2:09 left, Matt LaFleur elected to kick a field goal.

Buccaneers defeat Packers 31-26, advance to Super Bowl LV - ProFootballTalk - For the first time, a team will play a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

Rapoport: Vikings nearly traded Stefon Diggs to New England - Daily Norseman - But he wound up going to Buffalo

Detroit Lions hiring Ray Agnew as assistant GM - Pride Of Detroit - More front office help for Brad Holmes and company.

Packers come up short in NFC title game yet again, falling 31-26 to the Buccaneers - Acme Packing Company - Tom Brady threw three second-half interceptions, but it wasn’t enough as the Packers couldn’t capitalize on those turnovers the way Tampa Bay did. They squander a golden opportunity to get back to the Super Bowl.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears assistant coaching news, rumors, and recap - Windy City Gridiron - Could Duce Staley be the newest member of the Bears coaching staff?

Duerrwaechter: Sean Desai, the New “Big Boss” of the Chicago Bears’ Defense - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears promoted Sean Desai into their defensive coordinator position. That doesn’t mean everything will remain the same.

Duerrwaechter: Report - Ted Monachino Not Returning to Bears in 2021 - Windy City Gridiron - Another vacancy has opened on defense with the departure of their outside linebackers coach.

Wiltfong's Mocking the Mocks: Daniel Jeremiah has the Bears going offensive line - Windy City Gridiron - In this ongoing series at WCG, we take a look at who some of the expert draftniks around the internet are taking for the Chicago Bears,

THE RULES

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